Tri-Nations

Michael Owen marked his Saracens debut with a try against Western Force last Friday night, as the former Wales captain looks forward to the prospect of facing his former club later this week.

Phillips eyes early comeback

Mon, 18 Aug 2008

The Ospreys' Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips is determined to defy initial medical opinion and make an early return to first class rugby - not just to help his franchise in European competitions, but also his country in the November internationals.

Eagles ready for full-strength Munster

Sat, 16 Aug 2008

United States coach Scott Johnson has declared his side "ready" for their encounter with a full-strength Munster team in their Challenge Cup match at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut, next Saturday.

Bath give Ulster the chill

Sat, 16 Aug 2008

European Challenge Cup winners Bath got their pre-season matches off to a winning start when they beat Irish province Ulster 15-7 at a cold and wet Ravenhill.

Bradley changes 12 for Quins visit

Fri, 15 Aug 2008

Connacht Director of Rugby Michael Bradley has made 12 changes to his side and one positional switch for their pre-season clash with Harlequins at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Welsh fancy a fifth franchise

Fri, 15 Aug 2008

The controversial decision to eliminate the fifth Welsh region in European competitions is set to be reversed with confirmation that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is looking to expand the number of franchises.

Injured Hibbard faces delayed start

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Ospreys' Welsh hooker Richard Hibbard has undergone surgery on a niggling right shoulder injury and will miss the first few weeks of the European season.

Four in line for Connacht debuts

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Four players are in line to make their first starts for Connacht, when the Irish province clash with Harlequins in a pre-season outing at the Sportsground in Galway on Saturday.

Bok Botha pens three-year Ulster deal

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Springbok discard and World Cup winner Brendon James (BJ) Botha has signed a three-year contract with Irish province Ulster, which will see the tighthead prop move to Ravenhill for start of the start the 2008/09 European season.

Eagles face tough European challenge

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

The United States will host its second annual Challenge Cup, featuring the US nations team, the Eagles, against the Heineken Cup champions, Munster, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, next Saturday, August 23.

Harrison - Ulsterman in a Bath shirt

Wed, 13 Aug 2008

When Justin Harrison steps out at Ravenhill on Friday to face Ulster it will seem like little has changed for the former Australian international, except for one small thing, he will be wearing a Bath shirt.

Czekaj in Blues comeback

Wed, 13 Aug 2008

Cardiff Blues wing Chris Czekaj will play his first game for over a year when he starts against the Combined Blues Regional Premiership side on Thursday.

Contepomi prepared for Portlaoise visit

Wed, 13 Aug 2008

Leinster's Argentina star Felipe Contepomi is relishing the opportunity to travel to the North Midlands on Friday and he believes that the Irish province's squad is in excellent shape coming into the start of the new season.

Moffat in 'glorious' Greenyards return

Tue, 12 Aug 2008

Rob Moffat admits he is thrilled at the prospect of coaching Edinburgh's players on his home patch - Melrose Rugby Club - and says the event will aid the development of the town's young enthusiasts.

Tito Rush-ed in as Blues skipper

Fri, 08 Aug 2008

Magners League outfit Cardiff Blues confirmed on Friday that they have appointed second row forward Paul Tito as captain for the 2008/09 season.

Meyer, Ward 'friendship' on back burner

Fri, 08 Aug 2008

Ben Meyer admits his friendship with London Wasps hooker Joe Ward played a big factor in persuading the Kiwi scrumhalf to join Edinburgh and sample European life and Northern Hemisphere rugby.

Ospreys to snag another Kiwi

Thu, 07 Aug 2008

Bay of Plenty is set to lose key playmaker Jamie Nutbrown for a fair amount of their Air New Zealand Cup campaign.

Dragons get new signing, and captain

Tue, 05 Aug 2008

New Zealander Tom Willis has been named Newport Gwent Dragons' new captain and will travel to their Belfast training camp on Sunday August 10 alongside new Australian signing, wing Rory Sidey.

Muldoon keen on Connacht captaincy